Spring is springing all around us - and that means it's time for a whole new season of family fun.
A whole host of new activities are getting underway, as listed in the city's Leisure Guide for spring.
Check it out online at www.nwpcr.ca or pick up a guide at any city facility for all the details.
In the meantime, you may want to highlight a couple of approaching events:
* Parents' Night Out: Yes, that's right, parents, the city is making this one all about you. You can bring your five- to 12-year-old kids to the Centennial Community Centre for an evening of games, sports, crafts, pizza and a movie while you take time for yourself. Upcoming night out sessions are planned for Saturdays, April 12, May 10 and June 7, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. each time. Registration is $25 - call 604-777-5100.
* Pet photos with the Easter Bunny: Bring the furry members of your family to the Queensborough Community Centre on Saturday, April 12 between 1 and 3 p.m. The photo sessions include free tasty treats for pets and their humans, and it's all available for a suggested $10 donation. Call the community centre at 604-525-7388 for details.
* Easter in Queen's Park: Family fun returns to the park again Easter Sunday, April 20, aimed at the three- to 10-year-old set.
Kids can enjoy entertainment, crafts, face painting, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, the petting farm and a variety of activities. The concession will be open.
Call Queen's Park Rainbow Playland at 604-777-5121 for details. Admission is free - it runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Queensweep Earth Day Cleanup: Queensborough esidents are invited to pitch in to help keep the waterways, parks and streets clean. The special event will include educational displays and community resources. The fun runs Sunday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the Queensborough Community Centre at 604-525-7388 for details.
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Here's one for parents and kids that gives you a chance to learn together - and take home a nice treat in the bargain.
In response to a recent call for family-friendly event ideas, reader Carine McEwen offered up a great suggestion: soap-making sessions with Jolene at the Artisan Shop at River Market.
Carine recently went with her six-year-old daughter.
"That was very nice," she wrote. "We are given a pound of glycerin soap each, and we pick flagrances, dried flowers and glitter and colors. It takes an hour and a half, the children and the mom have a wonderful time and go home with beautiful soaps. It costs $10/person and is totally worth it."
Drop-in soap making sessions run Thursdays through Mondays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Check out the River Market website, www.rivermarket.ca, or email [email protected] for more details. (Please note: the sessions are designed for anyone aged six and up.)
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This one has appeared on our website before, and undoubtedly will again, but I wanted to make a point of mentioning it in this column since it's the very definition of "family-friendly."
Royal City Musical Theatre is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year by staging the ultimate in family musicals: Annie.
The beloved tale of the red-haired orphan, starring Julia MacLean in the title role, takes to the stage at the Massey Theatre from April 10 to 26.
The show also stars Steve Maddock as Daddy Warbucks and Caitlin Clugston as Miss Hannigan, with Mike Kovac as Rooster, Laura McNaught as Lily, R.G. Miller as Bert Healy / Roosevelt and New West's own Cassady Ranford as Grace.
There's also a host of talented young folks aboard as the orphans: Avril Brigden, Aubrey Maddock, Lucy Gill, Nathalie Joyal, Jaime MacLean, Taylor Robinson, Maya Schwartz-Dardick and Sydney Waack.
There's even a special Family Fun Day planned for the Sunday, April 13 matinee show - including a barbecue and face painting starting at 1 p.m. For that event, you can buy two adult tickets and get two seniors' or children's tickets for free.
Tickets are available at www.masseytheatre.com or by calling the Massey box office at 604-521-5050.
Check out www.royalcitymusicaltheatre.com.
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Parents, don't miss your chance to help the city shape the future of child care.
The City of New Westminster is developing a new child-care needs assessment to help the city plan for and work with other groups to develop new child-care spaces for kids up to age 12.
"This survey is an opportunity for YOU to share your child care needs and issues," an intro to the survey says. "This information will enable us to better understand the types of child care that are needed, as well as when and where they are needed. As such, we encourage YOU to complete this important survey."
The survey must be filled out by April 11, so don't delay.
And, yes, I've filled it out already - and don't worry, it's straightforward and doesn't take long at all. Check it out at tinyurl.com/NWChildCareSurvey.
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Thanks to everyone who offered up feedback on my recent column about kid-friendly eats in the city. It's good to know there are so many parents out there checking out the local food scene!
(If you missed the column in the March 28 print edition, you can find it online.)
I've received one more suggestion I thought I should add to the list ... Taverna Greka.
Reader Karin McSorley emailed to let me know that the Columbia Street eatery is her favourite.
"Always ready to adjust their menu to make everyone happy," she wrote. "So friendly that they remember names. Great atmosphere and the best food. Love this place!"
(Not to mention, from personal experience, they do a mean moussaka.)
So there you go. Yet another suggestion for eating out with your family.
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Woot woot! On behalf of parents of babies and tots everywhere, I would like to send up a big cheer to New West's Landmark Cinemas for introducing Movie Tots.
Yes - much like its counterparts Movies for Mommies, or Stars and Strollers at Cineplex - the screenings give parents a chance to bring their babes along to see a brand-new first-run movie in the comfortable surroundings of Landmark Cinemas.
Lights are up, volume is down, and there's room to park your strollers and settle in to enjoy a film - without worrying about getting a sitter.
I haven't had the opportunity to check out the Landmark version of the movies for moms, but as a former attendee of Stars and Strollers, I have to say I give the concept two thumbs-up. It's a great way to get out and socialize and enjoy a grown-up pastime while still spending time with your babe.
Movie Tots' next screening is April 8. the movie choice was just announced this afternoon - it'll be a 12:55 p.m. screening of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, starring Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford and Scarlett Johansson. Fun times!
Are you a mom or dad who plans to attend? Shoot me a message to let me know how it was. I'm sure other readers will be curious about your experience!
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Do you have an item of interest to local families? Send Family Ties ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
